3.5 Yr Old Not Interested in Swimming Lessons

My only advice is dont push it. If he isnt interested, dont force it, because the more you do the more he's gonna dig his heels in and not want to do it. Just call this year a wash, keep going to open swim, and try again next year. I say this because I have a 3.5 year old son whos STUBBORN (If I could underline that word a couple of times I would). If he doesnt want something or doesnt want to do something and we try to force the issue he just digs his heels in more, but if we let it go and try again later it works better.

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I( think you should continue to take him but DO NOT force him to participate. He may be really afraid. and he may not trust the instructor will keep him safe in the water like mom and dad do. If you make it a battle it may make it that much more of an issue and he will refuse to try for years to come. Many children are afraid of water. My son wouldnt get in a pull without me holding him until he was 5 and now he is a fish. Just be patient. praise every attempt he makes but do not admonish him for his fears.

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This happened to my daughter when she was 3. She's now 6. She was fine at first and then all of a sudden she didnt want to go. She would sit on the steps and get out of the water. I continued to take her a couple of more times but it wasn't getting any better so we stopped going. She wanted to go again the next year (Spring tme) and I decided to give it a try. She was totally fine and is still in lessons now. Some kids just aren't ready yet at that age. My youngest daughter who is 3 loves it! I guess it really just depends on the child. I hope this helps a little.

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Maybe if you get in the water with him he will not be as afraid just talk to the instructer and see if you can do that and then gradually hand him of to the instructer since he isnt afraid when the family is their he may just need that extra security.

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Hi S.,

When I was going through college, I taught swim lessons. Both private and group. It sounds like your son just isn't comfortable in the water and is very timid.

Don't force him to do anything! :) This will only make matters much worse. I would look into private lessons. The pool will be quiet and the instructor will be able to go at your sons own pace. The key is the instructor as well. Obviously certain personalities will work better with your son, ask around for recommendations. Or call certain schools and ask who they recommend and how they overcome water fear in children.

Good luck to you! And certainly, don't give up. Every child needs to know how to swim. :)

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I have a 3 year old who will be 4 next month and he pretty much reacts the same way to new situations. He takes a while to warm up to people, but once he gets started he has a ball. I would continue to take him to the lessons and at least let him get used to the environment and new faces, maybe he's just feeling things out. Also, I wouldn't want to give my child the message that quiting is okay. Good luck to you, and good luck to me too because I'll probably be signing my 2 boys up for swimming this summer too.

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It didnt happen to me, but taking my daughter to swim lessons(8yrs) I watched the younger ones learning. I did see that happen. Some kids just aren't ready to swim. I would take him for the classes, since you paid for them. Most of the kids got in the water at the end. But..some didn't. You may want to wait for next year:) Good luck!

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Hi S.,

Well, I have a 2 yr.old son(soon to be 3 in August) and I was planning on enrolling him in swimming lessons in September. This will be his first time having a lesson as well.
I think that if my son reacts that way the first 2 lessons that it would be fine. I think that you should still take him for the rest of his lessons and maybe he will be more and more comfortable the more you go.
I also think that you should talk to the swim instructor and see what his/her opinion is. B/c I'm sure this is not his/her first time dealing with a child who is not comfortable going into the water.
Or maybe give your son until the 6th lesson to decide whether or not he will continue. That way at least you got your monies worth.
I hope this helps! Hopefully, my son will enjoy his swimming lessons!lol Wish me luck!

R.

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My son also was not interested in swimming lessons when I signed him up when he was 3. He's now 11 and a great swimmer! We decided to just teach him ourselves. I think being taught by strangers was the problem not so much the water. Good Luck!

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